WASHINGTON (September 7, 2016) – Recognizing the importance of fostering conservation and sustainability practices, National Farmers Union (NFU) is pleased by yesterday’s introduction of bipartisan legislation that would ease burdensome requirements for landowners participating in voluntary U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs.

The “Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act of 2016” (S.3288) was introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.).

“Improving conservation practices in agriculture production benefits family farmers, ranchers and rural communities. USDA conservation programs encourage producers to implement sustainable practices in their operations, and we applaud any effort to incentivize taking part in these programs by removing restrictive regulatory barriers that might discourage participation,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.

Similar to the bill’s counterpart introduced earlier this year in the U.S. House of Representatives, S.3288 would exempt recipients of USDA conservation assistance from needing to register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number – a requirement in order to receive financial assistance from federal agencies.

The legislation will help “remove government red tape that is standing between small and beginning farmers and the conservation programs that will help protect their farmland and the environments within their communities,” Sen. Klobuchar explained in a statement yesterday.

“NFU looks forward to working with both the Senate and House to move this legislation forward,” Johnson concluded.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.